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About CALPIRG

Our team of researchers uncover the facts; our staff bring our findings to the public, through the media as well as one-on-one interactions; and our advocates are bringing the voice of the public to the halls of power on behalf of consumers.

An Independent Voice For Consumers

CALPIRG is a consumer group that stands up to powerful interests whenever they threaten our health and safety, our financial security or our right to fully participate in our democratic society.

For decades, we’ve stood up for consumers, countering the influence of big banks, insurers, chemical manufacturers and other powerful special interests.

When Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of California proposed double-digit rate hikes, we called on them to justify the increases. Thanks to a new CALPIRG-backed law, Californians saved $127 million in 2011 on proposed rate hikes that were later reversed. >LEARN MORE

STOP SUBSIDIZING OBESITY

When big agribusinesses like Monsanto lobbied to keep their billion dollar junk food subsidies, we organized public opposition by talking to more than 1 million people and building a coalition of more than 550 small farmers. >LEARN MORE

CONSUMER PROTECTION

Our toy safety reports and lab research have led to recalls of more than 150 toxic or dangerous toys, and advocates have pushed to keep toxic chemicals out of all consumer products.>LEARN MORE

CLOSE CORPORATE TAX LOOPHOLES

We exposed the Fortune 500 companies like GE and Goldman Sachs who stash their profits overseas to dodge taxes. Offshore tax havens cost us an estimated $150 billion every year. >LEARN MORE

Our Mission
When consumers are cheated or the voices of ordinary citizens are drowned out by special interest lobbyists, CALPIRG speaks up and takes action. We uncover threats to public health and wellbeing and fight to end them, using the time-tested tools of investigative research, media exposés, grassroots organizing, advocacy and litigation. CALPIRG’s mission is to deliver persistent, result-oriented public interest activism that protects consumers, encourages a fair, sustainable economy, and fosters responsive, democratic government.

CALPIRG And The Federation Of State Public Interest Research GroupsCALPIRG is an independent, state-based, citizen-funded organization that advocates for the public interest and is a member of U.S. PIRG, the federation of state Public Interest Research Groups.

Since 1970, state PIRGs have delivered results-oriented citizen activism, stood up to powerful special interests, and used the time-tested tools of investigative research, media exposés, grassroots organizing, advocacy and litigation to win real results on issues that matter.

Across the country, state PIRGs employ close to 400 organizers, policy analysts, scientists and attorneys, and are active in 47 states, with a federal lobby office in Washington, D.C. On national issues that impact Californians, we also coordinate our efforts, pool resources, and share expertise so that we can have the biggest impact—here in California and for the country at large.

CALPIRG Staff - A Partial ListCALPIRG is an advocate for the public interest. When consumers are cheated, or the voices of ordinary citizens are drowned out by special interest lobbyists, CALPIRG speaks up and takes action. We uncover threats to public health and well-being and fight for the public interest.

This year, for the first time ever, tuition will overtake the state’s share of funding for students attending the prestigious 10-campus University of California system. It’s not the first state to reach such a milestone, but it is a significant and symbolic one in a state mired in a seemingly interminable budget crisis and where annual funding cuts have been accompanied by yearly tuition increases.

"With health insurance costs increasing almost 10 percent a year for the past 10 years, consumers can't afford to wait any longer for a real check on rate hikes," said Pedro Morillas, legislative director for the California Public Interest Research Group, in a statement.

The measure, AB 52 by Assemblyman Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles), would give the Department of Insurance the same authority to modify or reject proposed increases in health insurance premiums as it has in automobile and homeowner's insurance.

Our Affiliates

Featured Position

CALPIRG seeks a Public Health Advocate to help lead our Stop the Overuse of Antibiotics campaign in California. The Public Health Advocate will assist in legislative advocacy, media outreach, grassroots organizing, recruitment, fundraising, and coalition-building in order to push for solutions that keep our medicine effective.